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Sunday, December 10, 2017

Two posts in a week! I'm on a roll! I can't believe we are two weeks out from Christmas, where's the year gone?!

I was recently offered the chance to try some skincare from Elucent, a skincare line owned by Ego Pharmaceuticals which also owns brands like QV and SunSense. I've never tried the brand before, so I was quite eager to see what it would be like. I was matched to my personal skincare concerns of uneven pigmentation and fine lines, and provided with the Anti-Ageing Gentle Cleanser* (with 2% AHAs [Alpha Hydroxy Acids], vitamins B3, E and C), Whitening Day Moisturiser* (with SPF30) and Anti-Ageing Night Moisturiser* (with 8% AHAs). I've been trialling this range for about three weeks now, so here are my thoughts!

Anti-Ageing Gentle Cleanser (with 2% AHAs, Vitamins B3, E & C) $20.99
This cleanser is meant to purify and revitalise. It cleanses the skin while the AHAs and vitamins work to gently exfoliate the skin. It's packaged in a handy pump bottle which makes it really easy to dispense. This works just the same as any foaming cleanser would. I remove my makeup with my oil cleanser, then use this for double cleansing by applying 1-2 pumps into the palm of my hand and massaging it into my face before rinsing it off. While the box did warn of a possible tingling sensation, I did not personally experience anything of that sort. Overall, I really like this cleanser, it feels like it really cleans my skin without stripping it of moisture.Whitening Day Moisturiser (with SPF30) $36.99
This moisturiser is meant to brighten and protect your skin. The Emblica Fruit extract, safflower seed oil and vitamins B3 and E are meant to moisturise the skin, while broad spectrum SPF30 helps protect the skin from premature ageing and pigmentation. Like the cleanser, it's packaged in a handy pump bottle. The cream itself is quite thick and does leave a sheen on my skin once applied. I did feel that it was quite heavy and sometimes had to wash off any residue left on my hands after applying, but it sat nicely enough on my face/neck and wore well under makeup. I wasn't overly fond of the texture in the beginning, but it has grown on me somewhat and I have to admit that my skin does look clearer and more even now than when I first began using it. Overall, I have grown to like this, especially after seeing results, and I also love that I can skip using sunscreen since it's already incorporated in my moisturiser.

These gift sets are packaged beautifully. The Precious Support Breathe Bath & Shower Bauble is both rejuvenating and relaxing, with its combination of Eucalyptus, Pine, Tea Tree and Peppermint essential oils. The Treasured Time Deep Relax and Revive Rollerball Set is pure indulgence. I love using the Deep Relax on my pulse points before bed, while the Revive is perfect for when I need a quick boost of energy (like when 3pm hits at work and I can feel my energy flagging).

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Happy Halloween!! If you've been following me for any period of time, you'll know that I love Halloween, and usually do something on the blog every year, so I couldn't let the occasion pass without doing something special.

I went to a makeup event at Spooktober a few days ago and as I was coming straight from work, I didn't have many options, so I created this quick and easy look. However, I literally did that in 5 minutes in my car outside the venue, so I did want to do something here on the blog that would take a bit more effort.

Now, I've always wanted to try the mermaid look and then I received a Halloween challenge from one of my favorite brands, Rimmel London, where I was challenged to recreate a look created for them by British Blogger/Youtuber called CocoChicBlog. The look is called the 'Dark Mermaid', and encompasses ombre brows, fish scales, smudgy tear stains and a dark lip. Here is my take on it, together with a few small touches of my own! I also decided to do nails to match, which you can see later on in this post.

Before we go further, I'll just admit that I wasn't too happy with this look for a couple of reasons.

1) I couldn't buy proper fishnet stockings anywhere! I went to four different stores on the weekend before finally giving up and buying the pair I used here, but the fishnet pattern was quite small, which became a real struggle when I slipped it over my head, so the 'fish scale' pattern wasn't as clear as I'd have liked.

2) I had really hoped to finish work early, finish this look and take the photos in natural light, as I'd managed to do for the manicure photos. Unfortunately, I left work a little later than expected, by which time the weather had taken a turn for the worse and started storming, so I had to take these photos by the light of my makeup desk which is quite warm. Still, something is always better than nothing, right?

Thursday, October 5, 2017

I am so very sorry for having been away for so long…I know it seems like I keep saying that but having moved to a whole new industry, it’s a little hard catching up, so I’ve been having to devote a fair bit of time to my professional life (seeing as that’s what pays the bills and funds my shopping addiction *wink*). Also, I’m on Instagram every single day, which takes a fair chunk of time. Having said that, I do miss blogging, so I’m resolving to try A LOT HARDER to be more regular with my posts!

Kicking today’s post off with a bang...if you live in Australia, the name Mecca will not be unknown to you, because it's literally a heaven for Australian makeup lovers! Did you know that Mecca have just celebrated their 20th birthday, and as a result, have just released a whole swag of limited edition, exclusive products?! The products in the collection are from a mixture of Australian and international brands, curated exclusively to Mecca, and there are some AMAZING things that I’ve got my eye on! I thought it would be fun to share my top 10 picks from the range, all of which is available to shop online here.

1) Hourglass Cosmetics MECCA20 Ambient Lighting Palette $90

(Image provided by Mecca)

This contains an Ambient Lighting Powder and Bronzer in Luminous Light and Luminous Bronze Light, as well as a special edition blush shade in Mecca Birthday Glow. I absolutely love the Hourglass powders, and when you throw in a limited edition shade, I'm totally sold! More info here.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

You know, I usually have some form of nail art every week, yet I either run out of time to take photos (I take all my photos in natural light and so I have to wait for the weekends because the sun is gone by the time I get home on weekdays), or I simply forget to share and get distracted by other things...I've been a bad blogger!

It did strike me a few days ago that the Fourth of July was coming up, so I decided to come up with some Independence Day inspired nails. I pulled out one of my favorite polishes, a deep electric blue by a brand called Eclipse. It's such a beautiful shade on it's own that I had to share a couple of photos.

I can't remember where I bought it from and there's no name on the label, only the number #611. I then used a thin striping brush to paint on red polish (Zoya Karina) over white polish (Sally Hansen White On), before topping it with a red diamante.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

As you all know, the Anastasia Beverly Hills (ABH) Modern Renaissance palette is probably one of the most sought after palettes of all time. It's a palette I've owned for a while now, and it's truly a beautiful palette with a range of unique, yet wearable shades that will flatter any skintone. It's also a palette that I know many of my readers have had trouble getting their hands on, due to it selling out so quickly.

That's one of the reasons I was so excited when I attended a blog event that BYS Cosmetics held a couple of weeks ago, as I knew that one of their best selling palettes, the Berries palette, was said to be a fantastic dupe of the Modern Renaissance palette. Luckily, we were fortunate enough to receive one in our goodie bag from the event, so I was really excited to try it and report my findings back for all of you!

As the photo shows, both palettes are very similar at first glance, but let's take a closer look and see how close the comparison really is, shall we?

First up, let's talk packaging. Both palettes have a similar colour scheme, but the Modern Renaissance is packaged in a velvet feel cardboard palette with a magnetic clasp while the Berries is housed in a click-shut tin. The Modern Renaissance is also a little shorter and wider than the Berries palette, which bears a striking resemblance to the Urban Decay Naked Palettes (specifically, the 2, 3 and Smoky) in design. In this instance, I have to say I have a personal preference for the Berries packaging; the Modern Renaissance does feel a bit more luxurious but the velvet feel means you have to take extra care not to get it dirty (especially if you are a neat freak like me), and the Berries just feels more sturdy overall.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

I can't believe Mother's Day is almost upon us! This year has flown by, I can't believe that we're in May already!

Anyhow, without further ado, let me introduce the latest Lush Cosmetics limited edition Mother's Day collection to you, in case you're still in a dither about what present to choose the most important lady in your life...

I was especially in love with this collection because Lush brought back Yummy Mummy (read my review on that here), which is only my favourite ever Lush Shower Gel of all time! LIKE, REALLY.

Anyhow, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the offerings that were kindly sent my way to share with you all, shall we? I was generously gifted with a total of 7 products, which I'll go into more detail below.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Boy, do I have a treat in store for you! Did you know that NARS have two new limited edition cheek palettes called the NARSissist Unfiltered I and II? I've always loved the NARS blushes and wanted to expand on my collection, but I prefer doing it in a palette because it's so much more convenient than filling up my blush drawer with singles. I picked up the NARSissist Unfiltered 1 palette last year from Sephora US, and a friend of a friend kindly mailed it to me in January.

NARSissist Limited Edition Unfiltered I Cheek Palette.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen it popping up on my feed quite a bit, but I wanted to wait to share my review until today, because it launches at MECCA today!!! Isn't it gorgeous?!

NARSissist Limited Edition Unfiltered I Cheek Palette.

Before I go any further, I'll just make a quick apology for the square format of the photos, I accidentally irretrievably deleted all the photos I took for this blog save the swatch photo, so I had no choice but to use the square ones I took for Instagram.Keep reading after the jump!

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

There's a new matte in town, have you heard? The Rimmel London The Only 1 Matte lipsticks finally launched here in Australia this month, and I've been blown away by how phenomenal they are! The original The Only 1 lipstick range was pretty awesome, but in my humble opinion, these are so much better. That could be because I'm a tad bit obsessed with matte lipsticks at the moment, but these truly are just a little bit special.

The brand has this to say about the lipsticks - "The perfect balance of high impact matte colour, moisture, all day comfort and staying power".

Let's take a closer look and see how it delivers, shall we?

Rimmel London | The Only 1 Matte Lipsticks.

As always, let's talk packaging. These are packaged in a slimline, distinctive red tube which is easy to identify in any makeup bag or handbag. The bullet is slanted, which makes getting a precise application a cinch, as it glides easily around the contours of your lips.

The lipsticks also have a distinctive floral scent which is pretty true to all the Rimmel lipsticks. I don't mind it too much (though I wouldn't say it smelled as good as my Kylie or Huda Beauty lipsticks) and it's not discernable once on the lips, but it's something that people with sensitive olfactory senses might want to note.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Happy New Year! Yes, it does seem a bit late wishing you all Happy New Year in February (and how did we get here, anyway? It seems like it was just New Year's Day a couple of days ago), but seeing as I haven't blogged in a while, better late than never, right? I think my blogger resolution will be to blog at least once a week. I can't imagine how I used to work full time and get 2-3 posts out a week, when it's such a struggle now. Potentially a sign of getting *cough*older*cough? So if you've stuck with me this long, I really want to say a heartfelt thank you, because I value each and every one of you deeply. Also, if you'd like to hear more from me than on a weekly basis, do follow me on Instagram because I'm usually on there at least once a day and I'm super friendly, so come say hi!

Anyhow, I'm back with a bang because I have some beautiful, limited edition goodies from the Lush Valentine's Day Collection to share with you! In case it's slipped your radar, Valentine's Day is in 7 days, but luckily, Lush are here with lots of great gift ideas for your significant other (or it's fine if you want to just keep it for yourself). Isn't this a perfectly pink offering?

The Made Up Maiden is a Melbourne based beauty blog written by Nalini, a young professional with a great love for all beauty products (but is especially fixated on makeup, nail polish and fragrances).
Working in a male dominated industry by day, she moonlights as a beauty blogger by night, and is always on the lookout for new products to fall in love with! She loves exercising her creative side by showcasing various makeup and nail art looks on the blog.